Yet the watching world saw repeatedly on the TV replays Smith landed four solid head punches which had sent the disorientated Hopkins falling into space.

The former world middle and light-heavyweight champion persistently and embarrassingly made himself look an idiot.

This year there has been no sadder sight in boxing than seeing one of the all-time great fighters lying flat on his back on the floor with his legs waving in the air.

Hopkins didn’t even attempt to get back into the ring in the allotted 20 seconds claiming he had hurt his ankle.

But the distinct impression he gave me was that he was eager for an excuse not to allow the heavy-handed Smith, a top-ten light-heavyweight contender, the opportunity to completely dismantle him.

Hopkins had announced the clash with Smith was going to be his last fight and he confidently predicted he would go out in a blaze of glory.

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Bernard Hopkins' career was ended in breathtaking fashion as he fell to the floor below

Two months ago the headline above his column was “Hoppin’ Mad or a Hero”. And I wrote: “It could turn out to be the most foolhardy task Hopkins has ever undertaken.”

I’m afraid Hopkins’s enormous ego had got the better of him. He had convinced himself that just a few weeks before his 52nd birthday and after being idle for two years he could handle an ambitious young man who wasn’t born when he turned pro 28 years ago.

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